OCT. 5, 1930-JAN. 2, 2011

Born Oct. 5, 1930, near Hagerstown, Md., he was the son of Nicola and Rosa Prospera Dattilio.

He was a graduate of Hagerstown High, class of 1948, attended Hagerstown Community College and was employed at Pangborn Corp. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Keller during the Korean War. He entered the Maryland State Police Academy and graduated in October 1959. He was stationed at the Randallstown, Md., barrack until the opening of the Westminster, Md., barrack in 1961. He was the first breathalyzer operator and was instrumental in starting the Resident Trooper program in Carroll County, receiving numerous awards. He received the Superintendents Commendation award in 1967 for teaching defensive driving to the community and school bus drivers. He remained there until retiring as a sergeant in September 1983. He then worked as traffic control chief, Carroll County Roads, and was instrumental in initiating the sign release program, retiring in 1993.

Advertisement

He enjoyed gardening, traveling, crossword puzzles, playing cards, flea markets, antiquing, and coin, stamp and bottle collecting. He was a member and a past president of the Carroll County Coin Club, and a member of the Baltimore Antique Bottle Club. He joined the Knights of Columbus, served as past Grand Knight of the Westminster Council 1393, and was a 4th Degree Knight of the Cardinal Gibbons Council, having received life membership after 50 years as a Knight. He was a member of the Maryland Troopers Association Lodge 20 and the MSPAA. Along with his wife, he received the 1st Grandparents Award from the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair in 2002.

He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church.

He was an active volunteer of the Carroll County Farm Museum, having served as director of parking for more than 30 years; past board chairperson of its board, and received Volunteer of the Year Award 1988. He received the 25th Anniversary Governor’s Volunteer Service Award in 2008. This award was presented by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown. He was enrolled in the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2008, along with receiving the GERI Maryland Outstanding Award.

Surviving along with his wife are daughter, Karen L. Dattilio of Westminster; son-in-law, William T. Sullivan of Westminster and granddaughter Rosa D. Sullivan of Westminster; brothers, Louis, Joseph, Tony and Carmen, of Hagerstown, and Paul Michael of Hanover; sister, Grace Amendolaro of Glen Cove, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by daughter Carla Ann Dattilio Sullivan of Sykesville, Md.; and sisters, Fanny Dattilio and Mary Heltzel, and brother John, all of Hagerstown.

Viewing was held Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Pritts Funeral Home and Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster, MD 21157. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Westminster, with the Rev. Ray Martin as celebrant. Entombment will be in the mausoleum at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Finksburg, Md.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the Maryland Troopers Association Lodge 20, Westminster (please make out checks to Troopers of Carroll County Christmas for Kids Inc.), c/o Sgt. Tina Becker, MSP Westminster Barrack, 1100 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster, MD 21157.